Disclaimer: We do our best at River Region Family to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. We do our best to confirm details before they are posted here. Sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go. River Region Family is in no way responsible for any problems that occur while participating in activities recommended on this site.

When my oldest was in 4th grade we covered Alabama History but not very well. We used a book but never got out to do field trips like I had envisioned. (I wonder if having twin babies around that time had anything to do with it.) At any rate, 7th grade and 2nd grade seems as good a time as any to do a little exploring and learning around Alabama and now that the twins are older (3!) it's a lot easier and more fun to get out and about. We have a few field trips planned for this year with our local homeschool group and also just as a family. I plan on blogging about them to maybe give you ideas of field trips you can take in our area. My 2nd grader's curriculum this year will cover the historical period from 1000 AD to the middle ages and include medieval England and discoverers. The big plan for field trips for her is the Alabama Medieval Fantasy Festival in March 2017 in Greenville but we may also try to visit the Alabama Renaissance Faire in October in Florence.My 7th grader's curriculum this year covers a historical time period from about 1800 up to World War I which means we will hit several major Alabama history events this year-the Creek War, Statehood and the Civil War. So much good stuff related to these events in Alabama and most of it not too far from home! When I saw that the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park was having a special event called Muster On The Tallapoosa last week, I couldn't pass it up.

Can I be honest? I have lived in Alabama all my life and taken Alabama history and never really "got" what the Creek War was about until we visited this park. The Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is only about an hour and a half from Montgomery but I had not even heard of it until this year. Before we left we read some of the history of the park on the website so we would have an idea of what we were looking at. I love that the website has some primary source documents about the battle-letters from Andrew Jackson to different people telling what happened-that you can read. Saturday morning we hit the road for our first Alabama History field trip of this year. I will say that the road to HBNMP is a little winding but the park is not too hard to find. We used the directions from the website and a GPS and had no problems. It was my first time ever going through Dadeville. (Got to see the Dadeville Renfroe's Market.)

My older kids act like they never want to leave the house but once we get somewhere they always enjoy themselves and this time I think they may have even learned something.

The Horseshoe Bend visitor center has a small, but nice museum inside with a timeline of events and interesting displays. When you go, have the kids get a Junior Park Ranger booklet to fill out with info found in the park and when you are done, you show it to the ranger to get a prize. Ours was a nifty National Parks pin, postcard of Horseshoe Bend and a Battle of Horseshoe Bend commemorative patch.

When we first got there, it was nearly time for a musket firing demonstration, so we headed outside to see that. After the demonstration, the reenactors let people ask questions and then we walked around to the other displays that were set up for the special event. We got to see a cannon firing demonstration, also and make corn husk dolls.

We took our lunch and ate it at the large picnic area. (Downside: the bathrooms are back at the visitor center so after lunch we had to drive back there to "go".) After that, we took the park tour. You can walk it but it's about 3 or more miles and with the small ones, it was easier to drive from stop to stop. You can pull up to the stop and dial the number on the sign with your phone to hear a park ranger describe the area. The kids thought that was really neat. Most stops you will want to get out of the vehicle and walk to the exhibit. It's not very far. Some are fine to sit in the car and see out the windows.

The Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is beautiful and my kids and I learned a lot about Alabama's history by visiting this park. I'm excited for our other field trips this year. Here are a few of our other possible/ planned Alabama History trips for the year:

Saturday, August 13, 2016

It's my birthday month and what better way to celebrate than with free stuff! I've gotten a bunch of freebies in my email box this month and I wanted to share my very favorites with you guys!

Chappy's Deli : Join Chappy's Deli E-club for a coupon for a free sandwich or salad on your birthday. CVS: Sign up for CVS Beauty Club for a $3 off any purchase coupon on your birthday.

Gigi's Cupcakes: Sign up for a free cupcake when you join and then a free cupcake on your birthday plus other special offers. Golden Corral: Join Golden Corral's Good as Gold Club for a welcome surprise and a special gift on your birthday. (I got a free buffet with adult buffet purchase coupon.)Newk's Eatery: Join Newk's Roundtable Club for free dessert and exclusive offers. (I got a coupon for a free entree and drink for my birthday.)

Red Robin: Sign up for Red Robin Royalty rewards for a free birthday burger, surprises and other special offers. Ruby Tuesday: Join Ruby Tuesday's So Connected email club for a free appetizer, special offers and a free burger on your birthday. Toys R Us: Sign your kids 10 and under up for Geoffrey's Birthday Club. Members receive a birthday card and gift from Geoffrey. Bring your birthday child into the store to receive a birthday crown,
Geoffrey balloon and a personalized announcement broadcast to the
entire store! Plus during in store birthday events, members receive special surprises with coupon including a Geoffrey plush toy and storybook. Ulta Beauty: Join Ultamate Rewards for a free gift on your birthday. I had not signed up for this one yet so I don't know what the gift is. Toys R Us:
Sign up your kids 10 and under for Geoffrey’s Birthday Club and you’ll
snag a free party planner with a special offer, a birthday greeting card
and gift, an in-store celebration (including a birthday crown, a
balloon, and an in-store announcement), and even a birthday call from
Geoffrey.

Zaxby’s: Kids 10 and under can join the Zax Kidz Club
and receive a free cookie club in the mail just for joining and a free
kidz meal card mailed on their birthday; Adults can join the Zaxby’s Mail club and will receive via mail a members-only FREE Meal Deal coupon to the address you provide within six weeks of joining and a free Nibbler on your birthday. I got a card in the mail for the free Nibbler.

Just saying: Offers can change, so check before you sign up. If you know of any other great birthday freebies, let me know so I can add them to this list and share the love!

Friday, August 12, 2016

Here are a few fun, free or nearly free things for families in the river region this month. If you know of anything else that I could add to the list, leave a comment here or on the facebook page. For library storytimes and other events check these links:

Disclaimer: We do our best at River Region Family to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. We do our best to confirm details before they are posted here. Sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go. River Region Family is in no way responsible for any problems that occur while participating in activities recommended on this site.